Growing up in Pakistan on Hollywood films, TV and even cartoons, New York Film Academy Producing graduate Khalid Hasan Khan found his venture to NYFA Los Angeles’ film school inevitable. It was at the Academy that Hasan learned the craft of filmmaking and began to develop the basis for his award-winning film, Hotal. The independent Pakistani feature film is a psycho-thriller about an Indian woman who ends up in a hotel where she meets her unborn sister. In addition to its original storytelling, Hotal is completely groundbreaking in that it is the first Hindi feature film shot outside the Indian Bollywood industry.
The film boasts Lollywood star Meera and singer Jasmine Sandlas, who sings her “Mombatti” song in the film. After winning Best Film and Best Actress (Meera) at the Delhi International Film Festival, Hotal is arguably the most talked about film in Pakistan.
The Hindu wrote, “The screenplay by Khalid Hasan is being viewed as a bold attempt which will go a long way in making Pakistan’s small yet rapidly growing industry more creative and original.”
Before Khalid attended NYFA, he claims he had no real desire to write and direct a feature length film. Once he had the opportunity to experience the filmmaking process from start to finish in a hands-on environment, his outlook changed. “It dawned upon me that I can do everything from start to scratch,” said Khalid. “I have learnt a lot by doing hands-on filmmaking during my graduation program.”
Indeed he did. Khalid not only developed an original screenplay, he was able to attach significant talent from Pakistan in what is now an award-winning film with a global distribution deal. “I owe it all to my faculty and management,” added Khalid.
Pakistan’s distributor, IMGC Global Entertainment has acquired the global distribution deal for Hotal, which is set to be released on March 13, 2015. Interestingly enough, Khalid admitted he was wearing his NYFA jacket when he officially inked the distribution deal with Chairman, Sheikh Amjad Rashid.
Have a look at the trailer for Hotal and let us know what you think!
Hotal (Theatrical Trailer) from Khalid on Vimeo.
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